Dear parents and guardians
"As educators our role has never been so important as it is today."
After a summer not dissimilar from the that of 1976 (which I remember well), I am genuinely pleased that we are meteorologically at least entering autumn. It is of course the time of year when the focus of the nation is on ensuring students are prepared to go back to school. And schools have to be ready for the onslaught.
I am pleased and proud that at the Stephen Perse Foundation we have worked diligently over the summer to ensure each of our schools offers not just an environment fit for learning but one which will transform the learning experience of our learners. Whether that be a cool new beehive classroom for Kindergarten at Dame Bradbury’s or the makeover to dining room facilities at the Senior School and 6th Form College, we strive to offer the best possible environment.
Why do we believe this is important? At the Stephen Perse Foundation our view is that a young person’s education should be more than a just a process within an institutional box. Our school communities deserve learning spaces which inspire each individual learner every day. With inclusion as our watch word, we look to offer an environment which supports the learning of everyone.
As educators our role has never been so important as it is today. In a world of uncertainty, we should offer hope and opportunity. This is why we are passionately committed to our Inspire and Guide programme, encouraging our learners to look beyond the walls of school to what their lives could be. It is why we are keen to promote the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, incorporating their philosophy into our every day environment. The future of our planet is fundamental to the survival of humanity and we encourage our students to believe they can make a difference (Senior School student Lily M is making a fantastic impact on other young people).
This is why we strive as a Foundation to educate young people who are empowered to make a positive difference in our world.
It is therefore with some pride that we congratulate our Year 13 Leavers who are moving on to the next stage of their lives. The destinations of our Leavers reflects the diversity of this community. We wish them all well in the future.
I am delighted to announce that we shall be welcoming another sixth form college into our family of schools from the beginning of this academic year. The Cambridge Centre for Sixth Form Studies (CCSS), one of just two independent sixth form colleges in the UK to have charitable status, are joining the Stephen Perse Foundation, and will enable us to broaden access at this critical stage of education for young people. CCSS will continue to offer its own distinctive educational experience in Cambridge alongside the Stephen Perse 6th Form College. You can read the full announcement on our website.
As we look to the future we are fortunate to have a family of schools which can truly look to Cambridge for inspiration. We believe Cambridge is our campus. Where better to draw inspiration for our young people as we strive to educate them to be the positive change makers of the future?
Kind regards
Tricia Kelleher, Principal